Before Friday, I had never ridden a motorcycle*. Now, being Sunday, I have a motorcycle learner’s permit.

Goal 14 is to get my motorcycle license, and in getting my learner’s permit I am now halfway there.

In order to get ready for the learner test, I went for a 12-hour training course at Stay Upright. The course taught the absolute basics such as how to get onto the bike, up to advanced riding skills such as emergency braking. It was amazing how much improvement everyone in the group had from the first ride on Saturday morning, to the riding test on Sunday afternoon. If you are ever looking for a motorcycle training course, go with Stay Upright - the trainers were terrific.

The first obstacle was the written test, which has the same set up as the car learner’s permit test (32 questions, with a pass being at least 26 out of 32 correct). There were some dodgy questions on the test, but I ended up with 29, which was a massive relief.

The riding test was made up of a combination of bike controls knowledge, slow manoeuveres, emergency braking and cornering. Unlike a car license, there was no room for error. One mistake (that’s right, just one mistake) and it is an automatic fail. Not sure that is the best way to test, as it just makes the whole situation more tense and less comfortable for the rider, thus making them more likely to make the one mistake they are so desperately trying to avoid.

Regardless of this pressure, somehow I got through it, and now the open road is mine to enjoy - much to Nat’s concern. She even tried to confiscate my permit as soon as I showed it to her!

So what is the most important thing I learnt this weekend? Definitely ‘the nod’. If you’re not sure what this means, ask a motorcyclist. They’ll know!

Here is my flattering licence photo. Sorry ladies, I’m taken.

* I did ride a dirt bike once, but did a big skid, fell off and the bike landed on my ankle, giving me a nasty sprain. I have been blocking it out of the memory bank ever since.